Taiwan has not been invited to attend Honduran president-elect Nasry Asfura’s inauguration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said yesterday, in response to questions about whether Taiwan would send officials to attend.
Honduras severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 2023, ending an 82-year relationship, and later established ties with China.
However, during Honduras’ presidential election last year, two candidates — including Asfura — announced their intention to restore diplomatic relations with Taiwan if they were elected.
Photo: Fang Wei-li, Taipei Times
Asked whether Taiwan has been in contact with Asfura or if the government would send officials to attend his inauguration this month, Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs Deputy Director-General Lu Chao-jui (盧朝睿) said Taiwan does not have formal diplomatic ties with Honduras, so it has not been invited yet.
“MOFA consistently upholds transparency and openness when seeking engagement, without preconditions, with other countries, including Honduras,” he said at the ministry’s weekly press conference.
The ministry will give its utmost effort and fully pursue any opportunity that allows Taiwan to contribute more to the world, raise its global profile and expand its international space, he added.
In other news, Lu said Paraguayan Minister of Health Maria Teresa Baran is to visit Taiwan from Monday next week.
Since she took office as health minister in 2023, Baran has consistently voiced her support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations at several international venues, including at the WHO Executive Board, the World Health Assembly and the Pan American Health Organization, he said.
During her visit to Taiwan next week, Baran is to meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍), as well as visit the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Centers for Disease Control, National Taiwan University Hospital and other healthcare-related facilities, he said.
“Her visit will undoubtedly deepen healthcare exchanges and friendly ties between our two nations,” he added.
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